The skydiving age limit is pretty cut and dry: the minimum age to skydive is 18 years old for a dropzone that is a member of the United States Parachute Association (USPA), which we proudly are! Although age restrictions surrounding the sport can be a bit irksome, just like all skydiving requirements, they’re put in place for your safety. Can you go skydiving at 16 anywhere else? Is there a maximum skydiving age limit? Let’s get into all your age-related skydiving questions!
Why Is There An Age Requirement?
How old do you have to be to skydive? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and USPA require that everyone jumping out of a perfectly good airplane must be at least 18 years old. Although we wish we could make your 15-year-old’s wildest dreams come true, we can’t defy the law. Why is this?
In the United States, 18 years of age is the magic number when someone crosses the threshold into adulthood. A top priority we have is making sure the tandem student (you!) is 100% willing and able to do a skydive. Before skydiving, you must sign a legal waiver to show your full consent to jumping from the wide open door of an airplane! And the fact of it is, the law says someone under 18 can’t do this.
Skydivers put safety first! A major piece of gear used in tandem skydiving is the harness — the part that is worn by the student and attaches to the instructor. It is very important that the harness fits correctly and, typically, skydiving gear manufacturers make tandem harnesses for adults; they’re not small enough to securely fit children.
- Proportion matters! Weight distribution throughout a person’s body can affect how well the skydiving gear fits, the fall rate of the tandem pair, and how well the tandem instructor can control any and every situation that may arise.
We would like to note that as long as you have valid, government issued photo ID proving your date of birth, you can skydive on your 18th birthday! Which makes a skydiving gift certificate the ultimate gift! Talk about being the most sought-after gift-giver EVER … AND at Skydive Snohomish, they never expire! So, if the fresh 18-year-old in your life has some pre-jump anxiety they can hold onto it for as long as they need.
Can I Skydive When I’m 100 Years Old?
Yes! Skydiving has no maximum age limit. As long as you’re in generally good physical health, tandem skydiving (and even learning how to go solo) has no age limit. The biggest regret we hear from our tandem students is, “Man, I wish I would’ve done that sooner!” So we suggest starting the journey to achieve your wildest dreams and booking your tandem today!
- What are the physical skydiving requirements?
The primary physical requirement for tandem skydiving is the weight limit, which at SkySno is 220 lbs (or 230 lbs if you’re over 6 feet). We also ask that if you have any health concerns (such as prior knee or back injuries, heart issues, or breathing issues) you get approval from your doctor before booking your jump.
Are There Any Exceptions To The Rule?
The only time a USPA-member dropzone can make an exception to allow someone under the age of 18 to skydive is if the jump is facilitated in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It requires planning, including procuring the correctly-fitting gear, and the momentous skydive that results is incredibly special and rewarding for everyone involved.
Can you skydive at 13 in the US? No. But you can if you feel like traveling across the globe! Many countries have an age requirement of 16 years old, while New Zealand has no age requirement at all! Every now and then you’ll find a dropzone that requires you to be older than 18 to jump, but those are few and far between.
If you’re 18 and ready to make the best decision of your LIFE (yes, we’re a little biased), book your tandem skydive today! We are so excited to help you soar to new heights! Don’t think twice about reaching out with any questions or concerns, age-related or not — we’re here to support you. Blue skies.
